The Book Club Online is the oldest book club on the Internet, begun in 1996, open to everyone. We offer cordial discussions of one book a month, 24/7 and enjoy the company of readers from all over the world. Everyone is welcome.April/May Book Club Online ~ Starting April 15
Alice in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll
| Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly called Alice in Wonderland) was written in 1865 by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.
We can enjoy the novel as a fantasy as well look for the amusing examples of logic contained throughout. Whether or not you've read the story as a child or adult, we welcome you to share our adventures in wonderland.
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Discussion Schedule: April 15-20 Opening Poem; Chapters 1 and 2
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Some Questions to Consider
Let's share information, as it becomes relevant throughout the book, from any introductions, footnotes or other sources we find.
Let's keep a list of characters we meet, as well as animals that are mentioned in the poems and ballads.
April 15-20 Opening Poem; Chapters 1 and 2
Opening Poem1. What kinds of information do you find in the opening poem?
2. What mood does the poem set for the story?
Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit Hole1. What do you think of the first several paragraphs of the story?
2. What events or thoughts of Alice falling down the rabbit hole do you find especially interesting?
3. What humorous elements do you see when Alice finds the gold key and then finds the bottle with the label, 'Drink me'?
4. What are some of the morals that Alice remembers when she finds the bottle?
5. What other thoughts do you have about this chapter?
Chapter 2: The Pool of Tears1. As Alice feels different, in great part to growing and shrinking so many times, she begins to wonder if she's been changed into someone else. In literal fashion she tries to compare herself to some of her friends to see if she might be one of them, who are not as clever as she. What do you think of some of the "fact" games she tries?
2. Have you found the original poem for which "How doth the little crocodile...." is a parody?
3. What parts of the conversation Alice has with the mouse do you find especially humorous?
4. What other related background have you found or what other thoughts do you have about this chapter?
I've just located an Annotated Alice in our library system and should have it in a few days. I wish I had asked you to send me that marked-up copy, Bellamarie. It sounds to me like something someone was using to do a doctoral thesis!
I find it very difficult choosing between Dr Freud's defense mechanisms and excuses, and Dr Phil's accountability solution for getting out of life's nasty scrapes. Let's ask Alice.
My cat, Lucky, says he would be delighted to participate in the discussion. He seems to know something about it. He seems to think that Alice wasn't getting the right message from the grinning Cheshire. It's a cat's tail that one must watch to get a clear meaning.
Isn't it fun trying to communicate with animals. And it can be so therapeutic. I often wonder if Saint Francis needed the birds to whom he preached more than they needed him. And haven't we always been told by the wisemen to observe some animal species or other and to see a role model in them? And here is Alice to introduce them all to us avid readers. The wisdom they show is truly astounding.